Dental Implant Surgery Post-Op Instructions

Please follow these instructions as closely as possible. They are designed to help you heal quickly, and comfortably, with minimal side effects. If you-experience any complications, please call our office. We have a 24 hour answering service that can always reach one of the doctors by pager, and we will return your call as soon as possible, usually within thirty minutes.Please follow these instructions as closely as possible. They are designed to help you heal quickly, and comfortably, with minimal side effects. If you-experience any complications, please call our office. We have a 24 hour answering service that can always reach one of the doctors by pager, and we will return your call as soon as possible, usually within thirty minutes.

FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY

• Do not spit. Use a tissue to wipe your mouth as needed, or swallow your saliva.
• Do not use a drinking straw. Drink straight from the cup.
• Do not smoke for 72 hours.
• Keep fingers and tongue away from the surgical area.
• Spitting, the use of a straw, smoking, and poking can dislodge the blood clot that is forming, and will cause bleeding from the area.
• Smoking can increase the chances of an infection.

FOR BLEEDING

Some minor bleeding is expected after implant surgery. It will usually subside quickly, and stop within an hour or two after surgery. A little oozing is normal and may persist for several hours, Upper implants may occasionally trigger some bleeding from the nose, This is normal and will stop quickly.

• Keep gauze on the surgical area with some pressure for 30 to 45 minutes.
• Remove the gauze after 30 to 45 minutes, and replace it with a new piece of gauze if you are still bleeding. It is important to make sure’ the gauze is directly on the surgical site. Firm pressure for another hour should stop the bleeding.
• If you find that this is not working after your third attempt, use a moistened tea bag instead of the gauze. The tannic acid in tea will help to form a clot, and stop the bleeding.
• If all else fails, call the office.

FOR SWELLING

Most patients will experience some swelling after surgery in the mouth. It may be mild or severe, and is different for every patient. The swelling will get bigger for the first 24 to 48 hours before it starts to go away. It may last for several days to one week. Some bruising may also develop on the face.

• Use an ice pack on the cheek or face next to the surgical site. Keep it on for 15 to 20 minutes, then off for 10 minutes, and repeat until you go to sleep. Start again the next day.
• Sleep with you head elevated slightly, above the heart. This will keep swelling down.
• On the third day, change to moist heat instead of ice packs. This will bring the swelling down quicker.

EATING

You may eat soft foods as soon as the anesthetic wears off. Try not to chew directly on the surgical site. You may resume a regular diet as soon as you feel up to it. Please stay well nourished, and well hydrated, you will heal faster.

BRUSHING

You may brush your teeth, avoiding the surgical area, either tonight, or tomorrow morning. Be gentle, and do not spit or rinse forcefully. Start brushing the surgical area on the second day, and be very gentle on the stitches.

MEDICATIONS

You were probably given one or more prescriptions for medications. Take all medications with a full glass of water, and as directed on the bottle. Call us if you experience severe nausea, or diarrhea, or cannot swallow your pills.

• Antibiotics: Continue until the bottle is empty. Do not quit halfway.
• Pain Medicine: Continue as necessary. Remember that narcotics can make you drowsy, so no driving, operating machinery, or alcoholic beverages while you are taking them.
• Mouth rinse: Peridex or Periogard. Swish with one-half ounce for thirty seconds, and spit it out, two times per day.

Additional Care

Following the procedure, you may find it advisable to take it easy for a day or two. Jogging and vigorous activities should be avoided for a few days.

You may have some discomfort after the procedure. The amount of this discomfort depends on a number of factors including the number of implants placed and where they were placed. Over the counter anti-inflammatory medicines (Advil, Aleve or Ibuprofen) are often helpful in controlling this type of discomfort. Your doctor will also prescribe a “stronger” pain medication. You may supplement the anti-inflammatory medication with this prescription medication if needed. You do not have to take or finish the pain medication.

Diet is very important in the postoperative period. We would like you to eat soft nutritious foods. Care should be taken to avoid hard or crunchy foods that might cause trauma to the implant area. Gently rinse with warm water after every meal.

Stitches will be removed in 7-10 days, as deemed necessary by the doctor. Do not pull lip to look at the stitches.

Should you notice any swelling, redness or discomfort in the area of the implant or if numbness persists after the initial day of surgery PLEASE NOTIFY THE OFFICE (201) 646-0800